Scientific Findings on the Quality of River Buffalo Meat and Prospects for Future Studies

The objectives of this review are to detect scientific findings and areas of opportunity in the study of river buffalo meat from primary production through commercialization and to establish future areas of research linked to each step of the meat supply chain to strengthen and improve the production and quality of buffalo meat in the future. Recent studies show that buffalo meat is healthy and that the prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases is not related to intramuscular fat consumption. The current grand demand for food constitutes an ongoing challenge for agricultural production. Of course, this demand includes meat, but the animal species traditionally destined for human consumption are no longer capable of satisfying requirements. This review detected gaps in studies of the alimentary systems of this species (including its digestive tract) and a paucity of analyses designed to determine the optimum slaughtering age. Identifying –and correcting– practices that foster contamination, reduce the shelf life of buffalo meat, and suggest appropriate conservation and packaging methods during commercialization are two additional pending concerns. This study concludes that marketing buffalo meat represents a great challenge for producers and researchers, one that requires a multi- and interdisciplinary approach that examines in detail every step of the productive chain

Imprinting, Sucking and Allosucking Behaviors in Buffalo Calves

This paper provides a short review of the scientific literature, focusing on recent advances on the most representative events from birth to weaning, with special emphasis on the behavior and welfare of buffalo calves during the phases of imprinting, suckling and allosucking, based on the differences and similarities reported with dairy and beef cattle. The similarities include the facts that all 3 are gregarious animals whose dams separate from the herd prior to parturition to facilitate dam-calf bonding, and that maternal care fosters the ingestion of colostrum by the young. These species are also precocial and rely on mother - young mutual recognition for calf survival. In particular, mothers develop a selective bonding with their young soon after parturition, although buffalo cows seem to be tolerant to alien claves and are often engaged in communal nursing. In buffaloes and cattle negative emotions are induced by the stress brought on by early maternal separation. However, buffalo calves are more prone to express cross-sucking and contract neonatal diseases with higher mortality rates in intensive systems as compared to cattle. The review concludes that all three exhibit similar behaviors from parturition to weaning although the knowledge about the specific needs of buffalo calves should be increased and appropriate management practices implemented to improve their welfare state

Behaviour and Welfare of Dairy Buffaloes: Pasture or Confinement?

This review seeks to integrate recent scientific findings on the behaviour of buffalo cows in different production systems. These issues are discussed in relation to the level of welfare that buffalo cows experience under different production systems. In extensive conditions, the level of welfare is high because the animals are free to express natural behaviours related to feeding (grazing, ruminating) and rest. In contrast, intensified livestock-raising methods and techniques (machine-milking, artificial breeding etc.), first developed for dairy cattle are increasingly being used with water buffaloes in order to increase milk production. Greater knowledge of the biology of dairy buffaloes in aspects linked to physiology, behaviour, and health, together with needed adjustments to their production systems, will indicate options for improving the levels of comfort and welfare of these animals and contribute to increasing the efficiency of this type of dairy production. It is necessary to appreciate the importance of welfare within the entire chain of animal production since each of the scientific aspects considered in this manuscript reflects that animal welfare is not an absolute term, but multidisciplinary, with direct consequences on productivity. The welfare of animals in the production systems must be considered with the aim of ensuring an adequate nutritional, clinical, sanitary and behavioural status of the animals. When these aspects are achieved, production can be maximized and, for this reason, it is essential to maintain a balance between welfare and productivity

Similarities and Differences between River Buffaloes and Cattle: Health, Physiological, Behavioral and Productivity Aspects

The river buffalo is an emerging production species worldwide; indeed, it is overtaking other cattle as a producer of meat and milk in some countries. Though both species belong to the Bovidae family, they show significant anatomical, physiological, and behavioral differences due to their different phylogenetic positions. The river buffalo is a rustic animal that can benefit from low-quality, fibrous forages due to its digestive system, in contrast to beef cattle or dairy cows. Besides, the buffalo cow’s reproductive apparatus has fewer cervical muscle rings and a shorter vagina and cervix. This species has maintained its seasonal breeding pattern, also in contrast to Bos indicus and Bos taurus. Even though buffaloes have an inefficient thermoregulating system, scarce hair, and a thicker epidermis, they are more resistant to tropical weather conditions if water for wallowing is available than dairy cows, which in turn adapt better to temperate zones. Due to the morphology of the river buffalo’s mammary glands, they produce less milk, while their conical teats with narrower sphincters decrease predisposition to mastitis compared to dairy cows. Thus, the study of the anatomical and physiological differences among river buffalo, Bos Taurus, and Bos Indicus will allow the implementation of strategies to improve the former’s productivity while also increasing welfare levels according to the production system in which they are raised

Microencapsulation, Chemical Characterization, and Antimicrobial Activity of Mexican ( Lippia graveolens

The effect of solvent polarity (methanol and pentane) on the chemical composition of hydrodistilled essential oils (EO’s) of Lippia graveolens H.B.K. (MXO) and Origanum vulgare L. (EUO) was studied by GC-MS. Composition of modified starch microencapsulated EO’s was conducted by headspace-solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME). The antimicrobial activity of free and microencapsulated EO’s was evaluated. They were tested against Salmonella sp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, Pseudomonas fragi, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Micrococcus luteus. Thymol and carvacrol were among the main components of EO’s and their free and microencapsulated inhibitory activity was tested against M. luteus, showing an additive combined effect. Chemical composition of EO’s varied according to the solvent used for GC analysis and to volatile fraction as evaluated by HS-SPME. Thymol (both solvents) was the main component in essential oil of MXO, while carvacrol was the main component of the volatile fraction. EUO showed α-pinene (methanol) and γ-terpinene (pentane) as major constituents, the latter being the main component of the volatile fraction. EO’s showed good stability after 3 months storage at 4°C, where antimicrobial activity of microencapsulated EO’s remained the same, while free EO’s decreased 41% (MXO) and 67% (EUO) from initial activity. Microencapsulation retains most antimicrobial activity and improves stability of EO’s from oregano

River Buffalo Meat Production and Quality: Sustainability, Productivity, Nutritional and Sensory Properties

One of the most important challenges facing today’s society is feeding a growing world population. This review aims to examine the available information to assess the potential of river buffalo as a meat producer with a focus on the sustainability of the supply chain and on meat quality in terms of nutritional and sensory properties. Traditionally, buffalo meat came from old, culled animals in rural agricultural regions where animals were slaughtered at the end of their productive life as dairy or draught animals. Therefore, the meat had low quality. However, when younger animals are used, buffalo meat is generally well appreciated by consumers. Buffaloes can adapt to different production systems and convert poor-quality high fiber feedstuffs into high-quality products, including meat, with a lower degree of competition with human nutrition. In addition, although requiring more land, extensive production systems may have lower environmental impacts due to the low inputs used in the productive process and show higher levels of animal welfare. Although weight gains and dressing percentages are generally lower than in cattle, the meat is characterized by better nutritional properties (low fat and cholesterol contents, high-quality protein, and unsaturated fatty acids). In addition, the use of appropriate production systems might improve its sensory properties. Therefore, buffalo meat may be considered a good option to meet the increasing demand for food for human consumption

Dark cutting in large ruminants: Effect of management and environmental factors

Objective: This review analyzes the scientific findings on the main management and environmental factors that increasethe incidence of dark cuts in the carcass of water buffalo and bovine of the Bos genus. Design/methodology/approach: Scientific articles were obtained from CAB Abstracts, Pubmed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. The primary search was carried out on the following keywords: Antemortem stress and handling,dark cut, transport, antemortem rest, fasting prior to sacrifice. Detailed searches were subsequently carried out on eachspecies. Results: There are various stressors in handling and pre-slaughter procedures in ruminants. Stress in animals causes bodily injury and affects the quality of the meat, increasing dark cutting in the carcass. Findings/conclusions: Management practices must be improved in the pre-slaughter stages, animal welfare must be ensured, and stressors must be avoided or reduced. These benefits will help to increase the level of welfare of the animalsand will avoid economic losses, due to the presence of dark cutting in the carcass

Advances and Perspectives in Research on Buffalo Milk Production and Mozzarella Cheese

Objective: bibliographic review of the inventory and distribution of the buffalo herd, main dairy breeds, as well as mapping the main topics investigated in dairy buffaloes, emphasizing feeding methods and their effects on milk and mozzarella cheese quality. Methodology: Analysis of the main research topics on milk buffalo, through a wide review in specialized journals. Results: The production and transformation of buffalo milk has gained relevance in the last years in different latitudes, thanks to its nutritional qualities and international valorization of products such as mozzarella cheese. The main researches are carried out in Asia, Italy and Brazil, emphasizing that diets are a determining factor in yield and quality of milk and its derivatives, but that genetics, environment and animal management end up modelling these characteristics. Implications: To deepen research work on milk buffalo, especially in Mexico, where it has important development options. Conclusions: The bibliographic work presents practical restrictions, advances are recognized and the need to further investigate topics such as reproduction and animal welfare, management and valorization of buffalo milk and its derivatives, with the opportunity to explore the organic way.Objective: To conduct a bibliographic review of the inventory and distribution of the buffalo herd, leading dairy buffalo breeds, and to map the main research topics for dairy buffaloes, emphasizing feeding methods and their effects on milk and mozzarella cheese quality.Design/Methodology/Approach: Analysis of the main research topics on dairy buffalo, through a wide review of specialized journals.Results: The production and processing of buffalo milk has gained relevance in recent years along different latitudes thanks to its nutritional qualities and the international regard for products such as mozzarella cheese. The main studies are carried out in Asia, Italy, and Brazil, emphasizing that diets are a determining factor in yield and quality of milk and its derivatives, but that genetics, environment, and animal managementare what in the end model these characteristics.Study Limitations/Implications: To conduct further research on dairy buffalo, especially in Mexico, where it has important development opportunities.Findings/Conclusions: The bibliographic body of work presents practical restrictions, advances are recognized, and also the need to further research topics such as reproduction and animal welfare, management and valuation of buffalo milk and its derivatives, with the opportunity to explore organic production

DIPEPTIDYL PEPTIDASE IV INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF PROTEIN HYDROLYZATES FROM AMARANTHUS HYPOCHONDRIACUS L. GRAIN AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON POSTPRANDIAL GLYCEMIA IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC MICE.

Background: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder. Recently, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors that protect incretin hormones from being cleaved by DPP-IV have been used as drugs to control glycemia. This study examined the potential hypoglycemic effect of amaranth grain storage protein hydrolyzates to control postprandial glycemia in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice as a model system of diabetes, and their inhibition mode on the enzyme. Material and Methods: Amaranth grain proteins were isolated and hydrolyzed and fractionated by gel filtration. The DPP-IV inhibitory activity of hydrolyzates as well as their kinetic parameters were assessed. Selected hydrolyzates (300 mg/kg body weight) were administered in a single administration-study (SAS) or in the same concentration during a four-week chronic daily dosing study (FWCDDS) in order to observe the effect on postprandial glycemia of diabetic mice. Results: Albumin 1, Globulin and Glutelin hydrolyzates (GluH) competitively inhibited DPP-IV in vitro (Ki= 0.11-5.61 mg/mL). GluH called Glu.III (IC50= 0.12±0.01 mg/mL) considerably inhibited DPP-IV activity. GluH identified as GluH24 improved glucose tolerance significantly (